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<p>Defra is working with Devolved Administrations, Arm’s Length Bodies and NGOs to
monitor and respond to the effect of avian influenza on wild birds. This includes
providing advice on mitigation measures that can be put in place to both protect public
health and the impact on wild birds where possible. However, avian influenza is a
natural transmission process in wild birds and there is limited evidence that mitigation
measures are effective at reducing transmission of avian influenza between wild birds.
We will, however, continue to take whatever action we can, in accordance with international
best practice and the latest evidence.</p><p> </p><p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency
(APHA) operates a robust programme of wild bird surveillance across Great Britain
and engages in year-round avian influenza surveillance of dead wild birds submitted
via public reports and warden patrols. Between 25 October 2021 and 22 July 2022, over
3,000 wild birds have been tested. Of these, 1454 have tested positive for H5 Highly
Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). There have been findings in 347 different locations
in 61 different species in 79 different counties. A report (updated weekly) of findings
of HPAI in wild birds is published by <del class="ministerial">the UK Health Security
Agency</del> <ins class="ministerial">APHA</ins> on GOV.UK together with <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Favian-influenza-bird-flu-in-europe&data=05%7C01%7CEDC.outbreak.comms%40defra.gov.uk%7C380d7be3ec874a11f01a08da68949a2c%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C637937284688878079%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=YVSU6s18f0smWzoU31zn4Q32SxoA87MlTk%2B81hGSAFY%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">outbreak and risk assessments</a>. A copy of the 18 July outbreak
assessment is attached to this answer</p><p> </p><p>Unprecedented outbreaks of avian
influenza are being seen in both Great Britain and Europe as well as North America.
In Great Britain there have been large numbers of deaths associated with positive
findings of avian influenza in breeding populations of seabird species. Including
those listed as <a href="https://britishbirds.co.uk/sites/default/files/BB_Dec21-BoCC5-IUCN2.pdf"
target="_blank">GB Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC5)</a> (copy attached). The
impact on Roseate Terns (red-listed BoCC5 species) and Sandwich Terns (amber-listed
BoCC5 species) colonies in particular are of significant concern.</p><p> </p><p>The
UK’s seabirds are an important part of our natural heritage, and their protection
is a high priority for the government. Defra recognises the significant threat HPAI
is posing to our seabird populations Further to the existing Joint Nature Conservation
Committee Seabird Monitoring Programme, Natural England has set up a seabird reporting
system to collate records of mortality levels in key seabird colonies which will be
used to support assessments of the impact on populations and inform recovery programmes.
Equivalent systems have been established in Wales and Scotland enabling data to be
readily compared across the administrations.</p>
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